Calendar

Calendar

Submit calendar info to:

calendar@corvallisfolklore.org

Feb
4
Sat
Corvallis Drum Circle @ Indoors
Feb 4 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Corvallis Drum CircleCorvallis Drum Circle

1st Saturdays, 6-7 pm
Outdoors @ 1st & Madison May-October

Indoors @ 101 NW 23rd St November-April

Free. All ages & skills. BYO drums & percussion

Info: Michelle
drumcircleconnection@gmail.com

Contra Dance – The Hat Band w/ Karen Olsen @ Gatton Hall, First Congregational Church
Feb 4 @ 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Contra dance is returning to a regular schedule in Corvallis this fall! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a newcomer’s lesson and community meetup, helpful for all dancers. Following the lesson will be dancing from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12 – $20 sliding scale.

Because of the Covid-19 situation:

  • A well-fitted face mask,
  • proof of up-to-date vaccination, and
  • waivers for CFS and Gatton Hall

will still be required at this time. Online pre-registration is no longer required, but registration/check-in will be required at the door. For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our current COVID-19 policy here.

Hat Band Jon and SydThe Hat Band

 The Hat Band is an all-purpose string band from Portland that includes Jon Neff on guitar and Syd Newell on fiddle. Jon Neff is an IT specialist, and Syd Newell is a retired technical writer and former chemistry professor. The band plays for contra dancing and other events throughout Oregon and Washington. Dancers love their diversity – traditional, rags, blues, swing, klezmer. Jon and Syd have also been members of The Portland Megaband and Five-Euro Tip.

Karen OlsenKaren Olsen

Karen Olsen has an encyclopedic knowledge of contra dances and is a good teacher and caller, very patient and clear. She likes to keep the dancers moving, starting out with simpler dances in the beginners lesson, and progressing to more complex dances. She is also a musician and plays her concertina for dances in Coos Bay. She strives to infuse both her calling and the dancers with her own joyful enthusiasm for contra dance and music.

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged)
dance starts at 7:30pm.

Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary
(it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

We are currently seeking new volunteers to help with dances! If you are interested in volunteering, please see role descriptions and tell us how you would like to help by taking our volunteer survey at: https://bit.ly/CorvallisContraVolunteering2022
For questions regarding contra dance volunteering, please contact Shell Stowell at corvalliscontra@gmail.com.

Feb
6
Mon
Corvallis Guitar Society Meeting @ Odd Fellows Hall
Feb 6 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Corvallis Guitar Society

The goal of the Corvallis Guitar Society is to act as a catalyst to bring local guitarists out of the woodwork and provide an opportunity to perform and enjoy guitar music in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. The accent here is on participation and we hope people will want to participate in the open stage section also – no piece of music is too short or simple (though there is a five minute limit if we have a full sign-up sheet) and you are guaranteed a warm round of applause for showing us what you can do! We do have a limited number of open stage slots so be sure to sign up early at the front desk on the way in.

Our Mission

To promote classical and related guitar styles by providing a supportive performance environment for people of all ages and ability.

We seek to achieve this through a monthly meeting that provides an opportunity to discuss, listen to, and play solo guitar music including classical, flamenco, finger-style, jazz, as well as classical guitar ensemble styles.

Feb
8
Wed
Seán Gavin & Johnny B Connolly @ Conundrum House
Feb 8 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Seán Gavin & Johnny B ConnollySean Gavin & Johnny B Connolly

Seán Gavin, is one of the most highly regarded Irish musicians of his generation. Master uilleann piper and flute player, he is the first and only musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal. His most recent recording, Music from the Lost Continent, with fiddler Jesse Smith, accompanist John Blake, and bodhran player Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh, was hailed by The Irish Echo as “traditional music at its best!”

He tours regularly with Téada, as well as solo and other projects. Seán was the Musical Director for the PBS program “I Am Ireland”, and for the long-running Atlantic Steps. He has lectured on traditional music at the University of Chicago, St. Andrew’s in Scotland, and many other locations. He is now back in his native Detroit where he continues to play, teach, and promote traditional Irish music. www.SeanGavinMusic.com

Johnny B Connolly is a Dublin-born accordionist whose exquisite playing has become a byword in traditional circles. After signing with Green Linnet Records, Bridgetown was released to universally glowing reviews. “A joy from beginning to end…Connolly’s playing is skillful and exciting,” All Music Guide. “Connolly is clearly a master of the box accordion’s many possibilities.” Bill Compton, Sacramento News & Review

Johnny has taken the rich fluid sound of his box playing around the world with other great artists including Solas, Kevin Burke, Nuala Kennedy, Ged Foley, Tony Furtado, Aidan Brennan, and Casey Neill. He has appeared at many festivals including the Dublin Ohio Irish Festival, North Texas Irish Festival, Austin Celtic Festival and ICONS Festival in Boston.

Friends of many years, Seán and Johnny have a special chemistry. A sure and certain mastery of their instruments, combined with a love of traditional music and wide knowledge of both tunes and players, makes this a very special duo. Prepare to be amazed!

Capacity is limited to 30
any remaining tickets on the day of the show will sell for $30

Meet and socialize at 6 with the concert starting at 7

Feb
9
Thu
Hoolyeh Folk Dancing online @ Unitarian Fellowship
Feb 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Corvallis Hoolyeh dances are back in person

2nd and 4th Thursdays from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Hoolyeh DanceHoolyeh Folk Dance
COVID-19 Policy

Updated 2023-06-13

These policies are created by an informal Hoolyeh Live Dance Committee and are approved by the Corvallis Folklore Society. They are intended to keep our community and dancers as safe, healthy, and happy as possible.

Folk dancing involves physical exertion and close contact with many people and is therefore associated with greater risk of viral transmission than other common activities. To protect our community as much as possible, Hoolyeh folk dances will have the following precautions in place until further notice, which meet and may exceed mandated COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Please note: People at higher risk of severe illness from the COVID-19 virus, or who are in regular contact with someone at higher risk, including young children and other unvaccinated people, should not attend folk dancing at this time.

All attendees are required to:

  1. Provide an email address for contact tracing if needed (gathered at dancing).
  2. Be mindful of others’ variable comfort levels, especially with respect to personal space and level of touch.
  3. Feel comfortable wearing a mask if that is their personal choice.
  4. Stay home if you experience any illness symptoms.

Additional precautions will include:

  • An attendance capacity of 20-25 dancers
  • Unscented hand sanitizer available at the dance
  • Ventilation (open doors and windows)
  • Attendees should wash hands regularly
  • Letting Dana know if you have experienced any COVID-19 symptoms after the dance or in the following week

Current fees are $5 per person if not CFS member, $4 for CFS member, 18 and under $2.

Feb
12
Sun
Online Song Circle @ Online
Feb 12 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Online Song Circle

Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate.  Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.

The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ).   You can play or sing along with your microphone muted.  If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to

  • Original Sound: on   (if this is available on your Zoom version)
  • Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
  • Suppress background noise: low

You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.

You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .

Feb
17
Fri
Lucky in Love String Band @ Benton Center Student Lounge
Feb 17 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Lucky In Love String BandLucky in Love String Band

Bluegrass, blues and folk tunes will tumble through the Benton Center as Mark Weiss, Pete Kozak, Jeff Hino and DeLynn Anderson-Hino take the stage.

Guitar, mandolin, dobro and bass are the tools of the trade for this talented Corvallis quartet.  Join us for an hour of acoustic feel-good music.

Corvallis Contra Weekend 2023 @ Gatton Hall, First United Congregational Church
Feb 17 @ 7:30 pm – Feb 19 @ 5:00 pm

 CFS annual Corvallis Contra Weekend 2023

ElixerElixir

Elixir blends driving fiddle and guitar with the rich texture and rhythmic excitement of a full horn section, deftly weaving brassy riffs and daring solos in and out of traditional Irish, French Canadian and New England tunes. Elegant melodies evolve into raucous dixieland horn riffs; transcendent harmonies, playful improvisations, and rock, swing and reggae-inspired rhythms weave in and out of traditional and original Irish, French Canadian and New England tunes.

CountercurrentCountercurrent

A powerhouse acoustic duo based in Seattle WA, featuring fiddle, guitar, harmony vocals, and foot percussion.

Alex Sturbaum and Brian Lindsay display a musical fluency that comes from a decade of playing together at contra dances, concert halls, jam sessions, festivals, bars, and living rooms all across the continent. When dancers and listeners experience the blend of lyrical melodies, groovy chords, thumping percussion, and vocal harmonies all simultaneously, the reaction is usually “How does so much music come from just two people?!”

 

Nils FredlandNils Fredland

Nils Fredland has been calling dances with admirable skill and infectious energy since 2000. Respected for his expertise as a teacher and caller, sensitive leadership, and generosity, Nils is one of the busiest and most sought-after callers in the business. He draws on a large and varied repertoire of dances, presenting material from centuries-old “chestnuts” to cutting-edge contemporary choreography.

Nils is also known for breathing new life into traditional singing squares, and he has co-authored two books on the topic with master callers. Nils studied classical trombone at Indiana University, and has played his horn in ensembles ranging from symphony orchestras to ska bands. In Elixir Nils brings together his myriad talents in one thrilling package. Nils also works as the American Dance Publications Coordinator at the Country Dance and Song Society.

Jacqui GrennanJacqui Grennan

Jacqui Grennan is a contra dance caller, choreographer, and dance organizer in the Los Angeles contra dance scene.

A fixture in the Los Angeles contra dance community since 2010, Jacqui currently calls at contra dances around the nation and in her home community of Los Angeles, CA. Jacqui produced and organized the 3rd Saturday contra dance series held at the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena, CA, from 2014 to 2016.

NOTE: This is a fragrance-free event. Please do not use cologne, perfume; or scented deodorants, soaps or other grooming products. We will provide scent-free hand soap at the dance venues.

Register after Nov. 17, 2022 by completing the online application form or by printing, filling out and mailing the paper registration form.

Check the FAQ for Covid restrictions before registering.

 

Feb
19
Sun
Special Contra Dance – Two bands and callers @ Gatton Hall, First Congregational Church
Feb 19 @ 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Contra dance is back on its regular schedule in Corvallis! The dance will start at 7:00 PM with a newcomer’s lesson and community meetup, helpful for all dancers. Following the lesson will be dancing from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. No partner necessary. Dance calling and role terms will be Larks & Robins. The cost is $12 – $20 sliding scale.

Because of the Covid-19 situation:

  • Online pre-registration is no longer required, but registration/check-in will be required at the door.
  • We will still be requiring all attendees to provide proof of up-to-date vaccination (including at least one booster if eligible), and to wear a well-fitted face mask.
  • All attendees must sign a one-time CFS contra dance waiver at the door before their first 2022 contra dance, and a waiver for the use of Gatton Hall before each dance. Please read the waivers here before you arrive in order to speed up the registration process.

Thank you for helping to keep our dance community safely dancing! For more information on attendance requirements and other precautions, please see our recently updated COVID-19 policy here.

ElixerElixir

Elixir blends driving fiddle and guitar with the rich texture and rhythmic excitement of a full horn section, deftly weaving brassy riffs and daring solos in and out of traditional Irish, French Canadian and New England tunes. Elegant melodies evolve into raucous dixieland horn riffs; transcendent harmonies, playful improvisations, and rock, swing and reggae-inspired rhythms weave in and out of traditional and original Irish,
French Canadian and New England tunes. Elixir features Anna Patton on clarinet, Ethan Hazzard-Watkins on fiddle, Jesse Readlynn on trumpet and flugelhorn, Owen Morrison on guitar and foot percussion, and Nils Fredland on trombone.

CountercurrentCountercurrent

A powerhouse acoustic duo based in Seattle WA, featuring fiddle, guitar, harmony vocals, and foot percussion.

Alex Sturbaum and Brian Lindsay display a musical fluency that comes from a decade of playing together at contra dances, concert halls, jam sessions, festivals, bars, and living rooms all across the continent. When dancers and listeners experience the blend of lyrical melodies, groovy chords, thumping percussion, and vocal harmonies all simultaneously, the reaction is usually “How does so much music come from just two people?!”

Nils FredlandNils Fredland

Nils Fredland has been calling dances with admirable skill and infectious energy since 2000. Respected for his expertise as a teacher and caller, sensitive leadership, and generosity, Nils is one of the busiest and most sought-after callers in the business. He draws on a large and varied repertoire of dances, presenting material from centuries-old “chestnuts” to cutting-edge contemporary choreography.

Nils is also known for breathing new life into traditional singing squares, and he has co-authored two books on the topic with master callers. Nils studied classical trombone at Indiana University, and has played his horn in ensembles ranging from symphony orchestras to ska bands. In Elixir Nils brings together his myriad talents in one thrilling package. Nils also works as the American Dance Publications Coordinator at the Country Dance and Song Society.

Jacqui GrennanJacqui Grennan

Jacqui Grennan started contra dancing in Los Angeles, CA, in 2009. Her diverse experience dancing, calling, and choreographing various styles of folk dance has enhanced her ability to consider different ways of teaching and learning. She is known for her clear and caring teaching, with a stage presence that is a blend of calmness and dynamism. She knows what dancers want, and knows how to make it happen, seeing herself as the host of a
party who wants to help everyone have a good time. When Jacqui isn’t calling or dancing at contra dances and English Country dances around the nation, she likes to host BBQs at her home, learn various musical instruments, hang out with her cat, and work on home projects.

NOTE: This is a fragrance-free event. Please do not use cologne, perfume; or scented deodorants, soaps or other grooming products. We will provide scent-free hand soap at the dance venues.

Newcomers lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers encouraged); dance starts at 7:30pm.

Each dance is taught.  No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner).

Feb
23
Thu
Hoolyeh Folk Dancing online @ Unitarian Fellowship
Feb 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Corvallis Hoolyeh dances are back in person

2nd and 4th Thursdays from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Hoolyeh DanceHoolyeh Folk Dance
COVID-19 Policy

Updated 2023-06-13

These policies are created by an informal Hoolyeh Live Dance Committee and are approved by the Corvallis Folklore Society. They are intended to keep our community and dancers as safe, healthy, and happy as possible.

Folk dancing involves physical exertion and close contact with many people and is therefore associated with greater risk of viral transmission than other common activities. To protect our community as much as possible, Hoolyeh folk dances will have the following precautions in place until further notice, which meet and may exceed mandated COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Please note: People at higher risk of severe illness from the COVID-19 virus, or who are in regular contact with someone at higher risk, including young children and other unvaccinated people, should not attend folk dancing at this time.

All attendees are required to:

  1. Provide an email address for contact tracing if needed (gathered at dancing).
  2. Be mindful of others’ variable comfort levels, especially with respect to personal space and level of touch.
  3. Feel comfortable wearing a mask if that is their personal choice.
  4. Stay home if you experience any illness symptoms.

Additional precautions will include:

  • An attendance capacity of 20-25 dancers
  • Unscented hand sanitizer available at the dance
  • Ventilation (open doors and windows)
  • Attendees should wash hands regularly
  • Letting Dana know if you have experienced any COVID-19 symptoms after the dance or in the following week

Current fees are $5 per person if not CFS member, $4 for CFS member, 18 and under $2.

Feb
24
Fri
Best Cellar @ Methodist Church Sanctuary
Feb 24 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

The Best Cellar

Masks & proof of vaccination requested for everyone’s continued safety

Jim Lynch7:30 Jim Lynch

Jim Lynch is a singer/guitarist whose music reflects his passion for blues, country, old standards, and folk-inspired Americana. His set will include an eclectic variety of both well-known songs and hidden gems in these genres.

 

 

Loose Flagstone8:30 Loose Flagstone

Loose Flagstone is a Corvallis Celtic band featuring Leslie Glassmire (flute), Jennifer Parke (fiddle), Marjorie Sandor (guitar), and Tracy Daugherty (bodhran). Their repertoire explores a wide range of Celtic instrumental music, from great old Irish and Scottish tunes to some of the best contemporary Celtic music being played today.

Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is a sliding scale, 2-10 dollars, your choice. Kids are free and welcome.
Cookies, gluten free cookies, coffee and tea are available for fifty cents each.
In the sanctuary of the Methodist Church, on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

Feb
26
Sun
Online Song Circle @ Online
Feb 26 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Online Song Circle

Share a song, lead a song, request a song, or listen as we go round the circle. Song Circle is free and open to all who wish to participate.  Bring your own instrument, borrow one, or just sing.

The song circle is conducted on Zoom (you can download the app to your laptop, tablet or smart phone at https://zoom.us/ ).   You can play or sing along with your microphone muted.  If you plan to sing, please set your audio settings to

  • Original Sound: on   (if this is available on your Zoom version)
  • Automatically adjust microphone volume: unchecked
  • Suppress background noise: low

You can access the audio settings when you are in a Zoom meeting by pressing the ^ next to the microphone icon and clicking audio settings.

You can get the Zoom link by emailing Kurt at song-circle-2@CorvallisFolklore.org .

Mar
2
Thu
The Hillbenders present: WhoGrass @ Whiteside Theatre
Mar 2 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

HillbendersThe Hillbenders present: WhoGrass

Formed in April of 2008, and still touring with the original lineup The HillBenders took Performing Arts venues, festivals and clubs all over the US by storm in 2015 with their critically-acclaimed “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry”. They followed up the Tommy tour with a year of successful dates joining Keller Williams for “PettyGrass”. (Tom Petty hits)

2020 will find The HillBenders continuing their firmly established presence as one of the most energetic and engaging progressive acoustic bands with their hit laden “WhoGrass” show, as well as outstanding original music from their fourth studio album, appropriately and eponymously titled “The HillBenders”.

Regardless of which show The HillBenders present, or a mash up of all of them, they deliver a perfect mix of virtuoso musicianship and rock star vocals. They are one of the few bluegrass groups that recognize their ability to bridge the gap between the common music consumer and the bluegrass genre, selecting material that defies any hillbilly stigmas.

Mar
3
Fri
Windborne @ Whiteside Theatre
Mar 3 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

WindborneWindborne

Known for the innovation of their arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable.

They are adherents to folk music’s longtime alliance with social activism, labor and civil rights, and other movements that champion the oppressed, the poor, and the disenfranchised.

“The most exciting vocal group in a generation,” Windborne’s captivating show draws on the singers’ deep roots in traditions of vocal harmony, while the absolute uniqueness of their artistic approach brings old songs into the present. Known for the innovation of their arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable.

With a 20-year background studying polyphonic music around the world, Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, and Will Rowan share a vibrant energy onstage with a blending of voices that can only come from decades of friendship alongside dedicated practice. The ensemble shifts effortlessly between drastically different styles of music, drawing their audience along on a journey that spans continents and centuries, illuminating and expanding on the profound power and variation of the human voice.

BBC Traveling Folk describes Windborne as “subverting expectations and redefining the genre [of vocal music]… just absolutely phenomenal!” Audiences and critics lavish praise upon the singers not only for their technical mastery, but for the passion, engagement, and connection with each other and the audience that imbues each performance with a rare power.

But there’s another, crucial dimension to Windborne that guides and roots their artistry. They are adherents to folk music’s longtime alliance with social activism, labor and civil rights, and other movements that champion the oppressed, the poor, and the disenfranchised. Their songs burst with lyrics that, while penned decades or centuries ago, still ring true in modern times, and Windborne’s dynamic harmonies breathe new life into these songs.

Mar
4
Sat
Corvallis Drum Circle @ Indoors
Mar 4 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Corvallis Drum CircleCorvallis Drum Circle

1st Saturdays, 6-7 pm
Outdoors @ 1st & Madison May-October

Indoors @ 101 NW 23rd St November-April

Free. All ages & skills. BYO drums & percussion

Info: Michelle
drumcircleconnection@gmail.com